Two months ago, Sum Moeun was last seen being beaten by Cambodian soldiers following his arrest over an ongoing land dispute with an agro-industrial company, Moeun and his fellow villagers have been in conflict with the Metrei Pheap company, which was granted 8,520 hectares of land within the Kulen Wildlife Sanctuary in 2012. The villagers argue the concession includes their own farmland, and 15 community members were arrested during a crackdown in January.
Fourteen, including Moeun's son Moeun Mean, remain in custody facing up to 10 years in prison, while Moeun himself has disappeared without a trace.
Human rights groups have increased pressure on the Cambodian government with both Human Rights Watch and Licadho releasing statements demanding that Moeun be presented. The UN is also investigating the issue.
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